Game device



Jan. 16, 1940. w. R. PRICE 2,187,524

GAME DEVICE Filed Oct. 6, 1938 Patented Jan. 16, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE om nnvrca warmn. m, Minneapolis, Minn. Application October a, 19:8, Serlal'No. 233,599

11 Claims.

My invention relates to game devices and contemplates the provision of a reboundable projectile consisting of a ball-like body of resilient material equipped with a vacuum cup adapted to U grip a surface against which the projectile is impinged with suillcient accuracy and force to collapse the cup and exhaust the atmosphere from the space between cup and surface. with said vacuum cup thus caused to grip the surface of a stationary or relatively heavy object, the projectile will be deprived of rebounding movement and held in place upon such object, but with the vacuum cup thus caused to grip the surface of a movable object, relatively light in weight, theprojectile will rebound and carry the movable object with it.

A feature of the invention resides in providing a projectile of the present nature equipped with a plurality of vacuum cups functioning severally to grip an object.

An object of the invention is to provide simple, durable and inexpensive means of the nature above indicated for the amusement of participants and spectators in playing different games under rules of varying requirements.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear in the following description, the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate'various forms of projectiles embodying my invention, Fig. 1 being a central sectional view of a projectile in one form, Fig. 2 being a similar view of a projectile in another form and Fig. 3 being an elevational view of a projectile in a third form; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a number of movable targets resting upon a horizontally disposed supporting surface, said view further illustrating a number of projectiles in flight, one thereof being shown as directed toward one of the targets supported upon said surface, and others being shown as directed toward said surface proper; and Fig. 5 is a view illustrating a vertically disposed surface together with projectiles in flight in the direction of such surface.

Reference being had to the drawing, it will be seen that my game device, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a projectile consisting of a ball-like body "I of hollow, spherical formation. This body, formed of rubber or other suitable material to render the projectile reboundable, has a vacuum cup ll incorporated in its structure. The lip I! of the vacuum cup ll projects slightly beyondthe spherical surface of said body ll, while the concavity II of said cup recedes within the spherical confines of said body.

The projectile shown in Fig. 3, like that shown in Fig. 1, has a spherical body I! of resilient material and, optionally, may be hollow or solid. Said projectile is equipped with three vacuum cups II which may be molded integrally with the body I or otherwise suitably afllxed thereto.

The projectile illustrated in Fig. 2 is shown as having a solid body ll in the form of a polyhedron. Said body ll may be of rubber and molded to form a plurality of vacuum cups ll exteriorly of said body, as shown.

In the forms of projectiles shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the axes of the cups ll intersect the centers of their respective projectile bodies I0.

A projectile embodying the features of any invention may be used in various ways to accord with different rules of play. For example, such projectile may be cast toward the floor (Fig. 4) or wall (Fig. 5) with the view of bringing the one vacuum cup, or one of several thereof, into operation upon the impingement of the projectile against floor or wall. This desideratum accomplished, the projectile will become attached to floor or wall, otherwise it will rebound, according to the manner in which it is thrown, to return to the thrower or bounce in another direction to be caught by another player. Obviously, many U different rules of play may be devised in which the scoring is based upon the lodgement of the projectile at point of impact against a surface and/or upon the catching of the projectile upon the rebound or otherwise.

The projectile l0 shown in full lines in Fig. 4, as in flight toward a floor H or other stationary horizontal surface, is also indicated in dotted lines as it would appear upon the adhesion thereof to such surface as the result .of a suc- 40 cessful throw. Another projectile l0, shown in full lines in said Fig. 4, as in flight toward the surface I4, is also shown in dotted lines as at the point of impact against said surface, and is again shown in dotted lines as on the rebound, Al the rebounding of the projectile in such case being due to failure in the effort to present the lip of the vacuum cup H squarely against the surface H upon impingement of the projectile against the same.

In Fig. 5, projectile HF, shown as in flight toward the wall It or other vertical surface, is also shown in dotted lines with the vacuum cup ll gripping such surface and. thereby securely implanting the projectile thereon. A second projectile Hi shown in full lines in Fig. 5, as in flight toward the surface I5, is also shown in dotted lines at point of impact against said surface, and again inv dotted lines as rebounding therefrom, the rebounding of the projectile in such case being the result of failure of the vacuum cup II to grip such surface upon impact of the projectile against the same.

Fig. 4 illustrates a number of portable disclike targets I6 loosely supported upon the surface l4, said targets being evaluated by numerals, as shown. Also in said Fig. 4, I have shown a projectile 10, in full lines directed in flight toward one of said targets. This projectile Ill? is again shown in dotted lines as it would appear upon impingement against such target in such manner as to cause the vacuum cup H to grip the target. Further, said projectile III is again shown in dotted lines, as on the rebound and as carrying said target with it. In thus employing a projectile of the present nature together with a movable target, relatively light in weight, a game may be played in which the player seeks to attain predetermined directional flight of the rebounding projectile together with the target attached thereto.

Changes in the specific form of my invention, as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A reboundable projectile of resilient material comprising a ball-dike body provided with a plurality of vacuum cups disposed at the surface thereof with the axes of said cups intersecting said body substantially at the center thereof.

2. A game device comprising a reboundable ball-like projectile having means thereon causing the projectile to adhere, selectively at different I portions thereof, to an object impinged thereby,

said means consisting of vacuum cups arranged on the projectile about the surface thereof.

3. A game device comprising a projectile consisting of a ball-like body having vacuum cups arranged thereon aboutits surface and adapted to cause the projectile to adhere at different portions thereof to an'object impinged thereby.

4. In combination, a reboundable projectile and a target of sheet material, relatively light in weight, said projectile including a ball-like body and means thereon adapted to cause the projectile to adhere at different portions thereof to a face of the target upon impinging the same and to carry said target with the projectile uponthe rebound thereof, said means comprising vacuum cups arranged about the surface of said ball-like body.

5. In combination, a reboundable projectile and a target relatively light in weight, said projectile including. a ball-like body of resilient material and means thereon adapted to cause the projectile to adhere to the target upon impinging the same and to carry said target with the projectile upon the rebound thereof, said means comprising a vacuum cup, the lip thereof extending directly from the surface of said ball-like body.

6. In combination. a reboundable projectile and a target relatively light in weight, said projectile comprising a ball-like body of resilient material having a vacuum cup thereon adapted to cause the projectile to adhere to the target upon impinging the same and to carry said target with the projectile upon the rebound thereof.

'7. In combination, a flrst element consisting of a reboundable projectile comprising a ball-like body of resilient material, and a second element consisting of a target relatively light in weight, one of said elements having a vacuum cup thereon adapted to cause the projectile and target to adhere, one to the other, upon the impingement of the former against the latter, and to cause the target to be carried with the projectile upon the rebound thereof.

8. A game device comprising a projectile consisting of a body having vacuum cups arranged thereon about its surface and adapted to cause the projectile to adhere at different portions thereof to an object impinged thereby, said body providing a backing for the lips of said cups, and the lip of each cup being adapted, under impact against the object impinged by the projectile, to flex back against said body.

9. In a game device, a reboundable projectile including a flexible ball-like body and means thereon adapted to cause the projectile to adhere to an object impinged thereby, said means comprising a vacuum cup, the cup proper being disposed, in part, within the outline of the ball-like body, the lip of said cup projecting directly from the surface of said body, said body providing a backing for said lip, and said lip being adapted, under impact against the object impinged by the projectile, to flex back against the surface of the flexed body.

10. In a game device, a reboundable projectile including a ball-like body of resilient material and means thereon adapted to cause the projectile to adhere to an object impinged thereby, said means comprising a vacuum cup immediately joined to said body, the lip of said cup extending directly from the surface of said body, said body providing a backing for said lip, and said lip being adapted, under impact against the object impinged by the projectile, to flex back against said surface.

11. In a game device, a projectile including a body and means thereon adapted to cause the projectile to adhere to an object impinged there- 

